Staying alert
Dear Editor:
Well, its Spring. Our windy weather, dry conditions and lack of foreseeable precipitation makes us aware of the dangers of brush fires. Since the last few days of March and first few days of April, your local fire departments (village, city and county) have responded to twelve fires in and around our area. So please let’s all watch those dragging chains when hauling a trailer, or using charcoal when barbequing, or make a conscious effort to haul off weeds, leaves and branches instead of burning, because a fire brand can stay alive and travel a mile only to ignite brush some distance away. Inspect your house exterior for a defendable space; remove combustible/flammable materials for ten feet-dry; grass, leaves, trash that can cause your home/out buildings to catch fire. And as always, we are there to serve so don't hesitate to call your local fire department for information regarding open burning in your area.
Sincerely,
Robert Hays
Fire Chief, Grants
Common sense citizens
Dear Editor;
Common sense citizens of Cibola County, don’t let the title of our organization confuse you – it’s clear that the Republican Party is now the party that represents we working, tax paying Americans. The Progressive Democrats have become the wealthy folks on the east and west coast that cannot relate to real Americans. Conservatives believe that the government should support Americans’ right to make an honest living, raise their families with solid values and protect the country from foreign threats. Otherwise, the government should not meddle in our lives. Like you, my wife and I have worked long and hard for what we have. We’ve held to such traditional American values as respect for truth, respect for all lives, confidence that the U.S. Constitution is as valid today as when it was written, and that God does watch over and help us.
I’m alarmed and frightened by what’s happening to the United States and, despite not wanting to be involved in politics, here I am, involved in politics. It’s like the old saying that if you eat, you are involved in agriculture. We should all realize that we can make a difference. Historically, Cibola County has voted for liberal candidates that vote strictly how they are told by party leaders. Nevertheless, several concerned residents got involved last year to change that – and so, for the first time in years, there were conservative candidates on the ballot. You might be surprised to learn that conservatives running for state and federal offices won from 44% to 53% of the Cibola County’s votes in 2020. Some of our losses were in districts where counties chose to continue the same policies that keep New Mexico consistently at the bottom of national rankings for many standards such as the education of our children, health care for the elderly and ALL other such measures.
Traditional liberals and conservatives are not that different, residing mostly in the middle of the political road. We are neighbors living side by side, expecting and enjoying the same things in life. Family and employment are probably the most important part of their day. They want a strong America and for it to continue to be the envy of the world. I consider these moderate thinkers to be 80% of the population. It’s the radical 10% on each far side that makes 80% of the noise and demands 80% of the change to our country. In squeaky wheel fashion, they’re the ones on the nightly news and they’re the ones that effect change, good or bad. Carefully ignoring the lessons of history, the leftists who hate our country as it has been and the things it stands for are pushing hard – and with early success -- to drag the country into the darkness of socialism and communism. We in the middle just want the 80% majority to focus on what we have in common. Don’t vote with the noisy crowd before learning more about the consequences -- vote for those voices who will keep America on the path the vast majority of us want, whether that candidate is Republican, Democrat, or non-affiliated.
We, the Cibola County Republicans, ask that you join us, as so many did last year, to select and support conservative, clear-headed candidates that fight for the best interests of their people. Whether for positions close to home, or at the Round House or Washington, D.C., get involved, stay informed and know that we, the American people, make a difference. It’s our government and many politicians and bureaucrats have forgotten that.
Sincerely,
Randy Wood
First Vice Chair, Republican
Party of Cibola County
Getting ahead of the curve
Dear Editor;
Spring is here and the trees and flowers are blooming and the grass is growing...so is the weeds. Now is the time to get ahead of the curve on cleaning your yards and businesses in the City of Grants. If you wait until summer you will find that it is much harder to catch up with the growth from the spring. I have a few suggestions to help you in your quest for a beautiful yard.
The City of Grants has an ordinance that requires residents and business owners to not let their yard growth exceed three inches. It also requires every resident to keep their weeds and grass cut down all the way to the curb. I am always amazed when people keep their yard immaculate, but fail to cut the weeds and grass on the front strip of their property. It distracts from the hard work you completed on the main yard and looks unfinished. Trim your trees and bushes.
City Ordinance also requires that every resident and business owner keep their properties free of all trash, junk and rubbish and construction debris. This means old re frigerators, stoves, wood, old couches, chairs and mattresses must be properly disposed of. Old cars that have been in your driveway for years without any repairs attempted, should be considered for removal.
In the summer we have more people cleaning up and it is not unusual to see utility trailers parked at the curb. Please understand that trailers of any kind should never be parked on the street unless it is hooked to a registered vehicle. Recreational vehicles and trailers can be lived in for a period of 14 days in a consecutive year. It is illegal to live a recreational vehicle or trailer within the City of Grants on a permanent basis.
We still have improvements to make, but I am extremely proud of the progress we have made to show our Pride in Grants by keeping our properties trimmed and clean! There is an increased interest from outside businesses and others to move here. This is because we are all doing our best to make Grants the cleanest City in New Mexico! Clean communities are safer communities.
Robert S. Windhorst, Code Enforcement Officer, City of Grants
Editor’s notes: The Cibola Citizen seeks and welcomes letters to the editor on any and all topics. All letters must be no longer than 500 words (one full page, single spaced) and contain the writer’s name and contact phone number for verification. Unsigned letters will not be printed. The Cibola Citizen reserves the right to edit any and all submissions.